With the drought conditions affecting Texas, grasshoppers can become a big problem. While there are really no effective means to treat an infestation of grasshoppers, there are a few simple things that can be done to help minimize their impact on your yard and garden. Here are a few simple tips that may help you.
1. Provide a natural food source for the grasshoppers.
In periods of excessive drought, there won't be as much grass as normal. As a result of a lack of sufficient food sources, grasshoppers will start to look for greener pastures like your garden. Grasshoppers actually don't prefer to eat your garden plants, especially tomatoes and squash.
Keep the grass in border areas around your garden green. Grasshoppers will not move into your garden as quickly. The tall grass will provide food and shelter for the grasshoppers. By not mowing these areas it will slow down the movement of grasshoppers into your yard and garden.
2. Plant items that attract natural predators.
Plant flowers such as marigolds or sunflower daisies which will attract robber flies. Robber flies will feast happily on all the grasshoppers in your yard but won't bother the plants in your garden. Robber flies are a natural predator of grasshoppers and enticing a few to make a home in your yard will help.
3. Provide a water source for birds.
Providing bird baths or water fountains for the birds in your yard will attract another natural predator of grasshoppers. Birds are pretty smart and will realize quickly that a source of water also means there will be food (i.e., grasshoppers) in the area.
Got grasshoppers?
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
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8 comments:
Nice post, RiverWalker!
I think your post hits a bigger issue as well.
Too ofter our first response to things (like an influx of grasshoppers) is to turn to a response that addresses the symptom. We do it with insects in our garden (like spraying for bugs) and other areas as well.
Another example is healthcare. Rather than treating the underlying cause, the system is trained to address to symptom with medication.
Just some food for thought....
Joe
Just a thought - grasshoppers + airsoft = dead grasshoppers + target practice + fun.
And if that doesn't do enough for you, crank it up a little and take the wasps off of your hummingbird feeders. There is a little more excitement.
To: Prepping To Survive
Most of the time when nature presents you with a problem; it will also provide you with a solution.
Sometimes the simplest solution is also the easiest.
Agreed, it is often easier to treat the symptoms than to look for a cure to the cause of the real problem.
Thanks.
RW
To: Sailor
We've got some big "hoppers" around South Central Texas. In my case, Mossberg Maximus might be a better choice but would defeat the original purpose of protecting the plants.lol
Thanks.
RW
RW, that is also a good way to aerate the lawn! ;)
To: CoolChange
Let's see...pest control, lawn aeration, weed control. Might just be worth the cost of ammo. lol
Thanks.
RW
Poultry LOVE grasshoppers and crickets. (Unfortunately, they also love tomatoes- 1 bite out of each).
It used to amuse me to watch a couple of hens who would pace the grassy area about one row ahead of where I was mowing. As I would mow, the grasshoppers would try to hop to safety only to be snatched up by quick chickens. One ate so many I couldn't believe she could stagger back to the coop.
Laura
To: Laura
Even after mowing my grass in the yard, dozens of birds will swoop in and devour all the bugs that magically appear afterwards.
They literally have a feast...
Thanks Laura.
RW
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